Joseph Woelkers

Joe Woelkers is a zealous voice for the individual. Joe believes that everyone deserves to have their voice heard and their story told. Knowing how to take a punch, Joe enjoys taking on tough, complex cases against huge corporations and insurers.

Joe’s varied background and dynamic personality make him an unmatchable advocate. Graduating with a B.A. in philosophy in 2009, Joe entered law school at Florida State University that same year. While at FSU, Joe was a research assistant to the internationally recognized criminal law scholar Dan Markel; an editor of the Florida State Law Review; a two-time recipient of the book award for the highest course grade; and a recipient of the Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award. Joe also conducted several trials with the Tallahassee Public Defender’s Office and received favorable verdicts for cases many thought unwinnable.

After eight years in Florida, Joe decided it was time for a change and moved to Colorado in 2012, primarily to see concerts. He succeeded, having seen his favorite bands over 80 times each. After passing the Colorado bar, Joe entered private practice, focusing on personal injury litigation. Having worked for large personal injury firms both in Colorado Springs and Denver, Joe joined Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers in 2016. Since that time, Joe has been successful in prosecuting injury cases of all sizes and types, including many off-the-beaten-path cases that most lawyers would reject as too out of the mainstream.

Having lived in Michigan, Maryland, Florida, and Colorado, Joe is proud to call Denver home. In his spare time, Joe skis, snowshoes, climbs, hikes, camps, backpacks, attends concerts throughout the Denver area and Red Rocks, studies German, enjoys and collects wine, and plays classical guitar. In the summer, Joe is an active participant in the Colorado Mountain Club.

In 2025, Joe hiked over 100,000 vertical feet. Joe is currently attempting to summit all 54 14ers, and at the time of writing, he has summited 48 of these majestic peaks.

Court Admissions

• The State of Colorado
• United States District Court for the District of Colorado

Awards

• National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• 10.0 Justia Lawyer Rating

Practice Areas Focus

• Premises Liability
• Bicycle Accidents
• Recreation Accidents
• Ski/Snowboard Accidents
• Product Liability
• Insurance Bad Faith
• Equestrian Injury
• Brain Injury
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Car Accidents

Education

• Florida State Law School
  • J.D., cum laude, May 2012
  • Florida State Law Review, Notes and Comments Editor & Associate Editor
  • Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award
  • Book Award (Highest Grade): Torts, Criminal Procedure
  • Research Assistant, Prof. Dan Markel
  • William H. Stafford Inn of Court
• University of North Florida
  • B.A., Philosophy, cum laude, May 2009

Memberships

• Colorado Trial Lawyers’ Association
• American Association for Justice

Case Victories

• $1,000,000 – Client tripped on a sidewalk panel and later required back surgery.
• $700,000 – Client slipped on baby food in a grocery store and suffered a nerve stretch injury.
• $425,000 – Client sustained injuries after slipping on a wet area in a grocery store.
• $300,000 – Scooter rider struck in a crosswalk; liability was disputed with no witnesses or video evidence.
• $775,000 – Motor vehicle accident case involving thoracic outlet syndrome injuries.